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Looks like we got a little off track of what AJ started here. So to help get back on track here's some old stuff!

Back in the 80's I raced with H.O.R.O. (HO Racers of Oregon). We had an "unlimited" T-Jet class that was based on stock T-Jet chassis. You could not use traction magnets of any kind. Alan Blanchard and I built two of these lexan Corvette bodied entries. This #2 car is mine.

Rico - If we add the second class, such as the 1/24 vintage cars, why not add a class we could run on the 1/32 tracks also? We could pick a class of car that we all have already. For example a Slot.It class, or maybe just a 1/32 production chassis non-magnetic class? Something along the lines of what you, Monte, and I have been experimenting with. We could also run that class on 1/24 tracks for a change of pace.

As far as the point series, There are four choices. The NASTE Championship could be determined by; 1) points accumulated from the IROC races only, 2) points accumulated from the non-IROC races only, 3) the total points from both races, 4) Or the points from both races could be tallied and separate winners in both types of races could be named.

  We have grouped racers together by experience or skill level before, and maybe that is something we should go back to. The ability to "throw out" a couple of bad races each season also helps with the "bad race" scenario.

------------------------Bill

A lot of good points have been made here. Since NASTE was established we have always tried to have a slot car racing experience that is just a little different than the norm. We have accomplished that goal in the creative formats we have raced under, and with the cars we have raced. I feel NASTE has been very successful through the years, and one of the reasons is we have always put FUN ahead of competition. Since 1996 NASTE has had more than 100 participants. Many of those people had not raced before, and may never of had the experience had it not been for our group.

As much work as the IROC series is in regards to keeping cars up and running, it is a proven and successful formula. Take for example the last race at Hemi Heights. There were quite a few people in attendance who do not own 1/24 cars, and some people who do not even own ANY slot cars. But from my point of view it was a great race and a lot of fun! Getting people together and racing is what it's all about. With NASTE people get to try a little bit of everything.

So where do we go from here? I started this dialog because I was feeling like I would like to race my own cars, and I think there are others that would also like to race some of there own cars. One thing I'm hearing loud and clear is the IROC format is well liked. So what about this; NASTE maintains the IROC format for the first and primary race at each event. One round of racing just as it was at Hemi Heights on Saturday night. After the IROC race we could race one round of a particular class where interested racers race their own cars.

I already have a set of 1/24 scale flexi cars that could support races on six lane tracks with spares. Bryan and I together have 4 NASTE Radioshack cars for 1/24 four lane tracks. I have plenty of T-Jet based cars for HO. I will soon have 5 1/32 Carrera cars completed for the race coming up in Eugene. If we maintain an IROC series what I would ask is for a committee or team to be established to repair and maintain the stable of cars.

Food for thought?.................Comments????   -----------------------------Bill

Hey, I dressed in BLACK! What more could I do??????  -------------------Bill

So that's the real challenge, finding a class of car that EVERYONE is interested in racing. That has always been one of the challenges, but something NASTE has always been good at finding solutions to. Since NASTE started we have always promoted racing with the emphasis on new racers. We have always tried to make it easy for new people to get up to speed and feel comfortable. I feel that is a goal worth keeping. My feeling is a new class such as the vintage chassis or whatever, would stimulate the racers in our group who are ready for more of a challenge.

I would say the majority of the racers that race with NASTE right now are primarily 1/32 scale enthusiasts. My tentative plan is to come up with a 1/32 car class that can be raced non-magnetic on 1/24 scale tracks as well as 1/32. In additon to that class I would like to have an HO class (probably Aurora T-Jet style cars) to compete on our circuit of HO tracks. Lastly a class of 1/24 scale cars that would be raced on the 1/24 tracks (of course). I would propose the races on the 1/24 tracks would be one round with the 1/32 cars, and the second round with the 1/24 cars. With this format racers would need only 2 cars to participate in ALL the NASTE races, with the option of having a third 1/24 car if they desire. I would also venture to guess there would be "loaner" cars available for new racers, which has always been part of the NASTE program.

So as far as a 1/24 class goes, we have plenty of time to do some testing and decide what we like, and what works best for the group as a whole. Everybody likes something different, everybody has their own ideas, coming to concensus is what NASTE is all about.

--------------------------------------Bill

Hello CascadeMike, Like Monte said, WELCOME!

Oakridge, is that just east of Eugene/Springfield? If so, you have racers in your area!

---------------Bill

So there you have it. 6 potential cars for NASTE racing, and 600 laps of testing. I will make some adjustments to the cars and bring them to the next race at Hemi Heights. We'll test them there, and give everyone interested an opportunity to try them out.

--------------------------Bill

Down to the last two in the testing session. This one I threw into the mix at the last minute, and it surprised me! This is a box stock Carrera 1/24 Corvette.

Carrera:

The chassis on this car uses a sidewinder mounted motor. The motor does not have a lot of power or speed, but when combined with the stock skinny rear tires it makes for a lot of fun! The car is very forgiving, with controllable power slides signaling the over-use of it's available power. Try pushing harder in the middle of the power slide and it flips. I believe tires with more grip would probably bring the "flip" around earlier. This car requires some finesse to turn fast lap times. You must be smooth when applying the power. The major drawback with this car is the guide flag. It does not sit low enough in the slot on a recessed braid type of 1/24 routed track. I temporarily cured that problem by removing the front tires. A simple permanent fix would be to use smaller diameter front tires (or turn the stock ones down). This is a car I would enjoy racing "box stock" (with the exception of the front tire modification). It's an easy car to be consistent with, and it really is a lot of fun! Best lap = 6.802

Although the Econo, FCR, and Pro-Trac cars represented the fastest cars, there was one of what I consider the lower group that made the top 3 overall. The Classic chassis car out performed the Pro-Trac car in every category but overall top speed (and that was very close considering the motor fitted to my car!). Again this car was tested as it came from the factory - unmodified.

Classic:

This type of chassis is made to run 36D motors and lexan bodies. This particular car had lots of power and speed. As it is an out of production vintage car, power and speed are relative to whatever your particular car has in it for a motor! For a class rule I would propose a "spec" motor as there are still many 36Ds available from retailers. These cars are very light and they respond well to simple chassis tuning. I cut .2 sec. off my lap times just by repositioning the motor lead wires on the guide flag. The car was fitted with Jel Claw silicon rear tires which seemed to work very well. It did not corner well with too much bite in the rear, for this car "loose" is fast. Larry Cockerham came up with a very effective modification for these cars which greatly improves the handling. Larry made a .090" center pan that mounts to the front axle. With this simple modification adding weight to the front of the car, traction in the rear can be increased without making the car excessively "tight". This car was not easy to drive fast, because of how light it is (it's somewhat twitchy and quick). Larry's modification cures the twitchy-ness. All said this is a fun car to race. It's probably a car that would be most enjoyed by racers that like to tinker. It's not as fast as the Pro-Trac car, but I felt it was more fun to run. Best lap = 6.286 sec.

I completed the first round of testing on the cars listed above. The testing was done on my 6 lane MDF routed 1/24 track - The BullRing. I used the Bob Hanna Econo Car type chassis as the base line for comparison between cars. I ran each car for 100 laps to get accustomed to the handling of each car, and establish the lowest lap time I could run with each. I completed the testing myself, so all the comments are based on my impressions of the various cars performance. The cars are listed in order as to my overall rating of the cars handling and performance.

Econo Car:

The Econo car is by far the best handling and easiest to race car of the bunch. It is also the most expensive. The chassis is handbuilt using .090" flat brass and made for mounting model car bodies. Because of the weight of the car, this is not the fastest car on the straights, however it is the fastest cornering car of the group. This heavy chassis needs and can use all the bite you can give it tire wise. The more the better! If you are looking for a fast chassis to run model car bodied cars on, this would be the one! This car is the easiest car to be consistent and fast with. Best lap = 4.406 sec.

--------------Bill

That's an appealing price, perfect for an IROC series! I've got them on my watch list.

I have one of the SCX F1 cars. The front suspension/front axle/guide flag setup is delicate. That would be my only concern.